Published: Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 11:02 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 11:02 p.m.

The South Carolina softball team has gone from a bottom dweller in the Southeastern Conference to an NCAA tournament team and a couple of area standouts are a main reason why.

Facts

NCAA tournament

Austin RegionalIn Austin, TexasHouston vs. USC, 4 p.m. today

Former Boiling Springs star Alaynie Page and former Gaffney standout Julie Sarratt helped USC reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007 as Carolina compiled a 32-23 record, 8-16 in the SEC.

The mark was USC's best since a 38-26 (12-16) finish in 2007. The Gamecocks are went 1-25 in the SEC in 2010.

Sarratt, a redshirt sophomore, said USC's mindset has been more important to the recent success than the play on the field.

“I think the mentality has changed a lot with our team. I think that's the difference this year, that we're believing and we have the confidence that we need,” she said. “It was hard coming in, but it's definitely worth it now, all the difficulties we've been through, all the hardships. We deserve to be where we're at.”

Page, a freshman, said the opportunity to help a struggling program played a big role in her decision to come to South Carolina.

“I knew we had new coaches, we were getting a new stadium, and I knew that we would bring in some top players,” she said. “I wanted to help make a name for South Carolina. The past few years we have struggled, but I think we realized that, and we're trying to go out there and make a name for ourselves.”

Page has started all 55 games for USC thus far and has a .261 batting average. She is second on the team in home runs with six, third in doubles with nine and third in RBIs with 33.

She also is 15 of 18 on stolen base attempts, good for second on the team.

Page said making the adjustment from playing at Boiling Springs to playing in the SEC has been both challenging and rewarding.

“It's definitely exciting just because it's everything I've always dreamed about, playing college softball. Our season has been nothing but good to us and we're putting our name out there for South Carolina so it's an awesome feeling,” Page said. “You just have to learn to balance social and softball. It's been challenging, but it's all worth it now.”

While Page is making contributions at the plate, Sarratt is providing a boost both on the mound and with her bat.

Sarratt missed the 2012 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, but leads the team in wins (11), appearances (29) and ERA (3.00).

She is hitting .263 with three home runs and 28 RBIs.

Sarratt said that despite not playing last year, she still got better.

“Last season was really hard to not be able to contribute on the field for the team. It was hard not to be able to be on the field physically, but as far as the mental aspect of the game, I learned a lot and that's helped me a lot this season,” Sarratt said. “It was a hard road coming back. There were some struggles, but I wouldn't change it for anything looking back now. It's been a blessing that it happened. I feel like my mentality of the game has stepped up a lot, not only the physical aspect, but the mental aspect as well. It's almost a bigger part of the game.”

Sarratt's biggest win of the season came in her most recent start as she threw a complete game against No. 15 Kentucky in Lexington in the SEC tourney.

She allowed five hits and struck out six in USC's 6-3 victory that provided a big boost to the Gamecocks' NCAA Tournament resume. Sarratt said the team was aware of the potential ramifications entering the game and believed it could earn a win.

“I think we were all very calm and confident because we just came off a big win against (No. 2) Florida the weekend before,” she said. “I don't think nerves were too big of an issue, it was just excitement to be at the SEC Tournament and know that we controlled our destiny. We earned it and we were there. We wanted to prove people wrong and to step up. We won that big game and that was really exciting.”

Carolina was eliminated from the tournament the next day in a 5-0 loss to No. 4 Tennessee, but was confident it would make the NCAA Tournament.

“The end of the season we had has been great,” Sarratt said. “We were pretty confident that we would be in, but you never know until your name's called.”

USC did enough to earn a spot in the Austin Regional, where it will face Houston in the first game. Texas and Army are also in the regional.

Page and Sarratt said seeing Carolina's name flash across the screen and knowing they had made the NCAA Tournament was a magical feeling.

“It was a lot of emotions. We all were excited; I cried a little bit. It was just an awesome feeling knowing that we earned it,” Page said.

“We haven't been in this position the last three years that I've been here, so it was really exciting to have a chance at it and then to see our name be called, it was a lot of emotion at one time,” Sarratt said. “We were all really excited.”

<p>The South Carolina softball team has gone from a bottom dweller in the Southeastern Conference to an NCAA tournament team and a couple of area standouts are a main reason why.</p><p>Former Boiling Springs star Alaynie Page and former Gaffney standout Julie Sarratt helped USC reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007 as Carolina compiled a 32-23 record, 8-16 in the SEC.</p><p>The mark was USC's best since a 38-26 (12-16) finish in 2007. The Gamecocks are went 1-25 in the SEC in 2010.</p><p>Sarratt, a redshirt sophomore, said USC's mindset has been more important to the recent success than the play on the field.</p><p>“I think the mentality has changed a lot with our team. I think that's the difference this year, that we're believing and we have the confidence that we need,” she said. “It was hard coming in, but it's definitely worth it now, all the difficulties we've been through, all the hardships. We deserve to be where we're at.”</p><p>Page, a freshman, said the opportunity to help a struggling program played a big role in her decision to come to South Carolina.</p><p>“I knew we had new coaches, we were getting a new stadium, and I knew that we would bring in some top players,” she said. “I wanted to help make a name for South Carolina. The past few years we have struggled, but I think we realized that, and we're trying to go out there and make a name for ourselves.”</p><p>Page has started all 55 games for USC thus far and has a .261 batting average. She is second on the team in home runs with six, third in doubles with nine and third in RBIs with 33.</p><p>She also is 15 of 18 on stolen base attempts, good for second on the team.</p><p>Page said making the adjustment from playing at Boiling Springs to playing in the SEC has been both challenging and rewarding.</p><p>“It's definitely exciting just because it's everything I've always dreamed about, playing college softball. Our season has been nothing but good to us and we're putting our name out there for South Carolina so it's an awesome feeling,” Page said. “You just have to learn to balance social and softball. It's been challenging, but it's all worth it now.”</p><p>While Page is making contributions at the plate, Sarratt is providing a boost both on the mound and with her bat.</p><p>Sarratt missed the 2012 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, but leads the team in wins (11), appearances (29) and ERA (3.00).</p><p>She is hitting .263 with three home runs and 28 RBIs.</p><p>Sarratt said that despite not playing last year, she still got better.</p><p>“Last season was really hard to not be able to contribute on the field for the team. It was hard not to be able to be on the field physically, but as far as the mental aspect of the game, I learned a lot and that's helped me a lot this season,” Sarratt said. “It was a hard road coming back. There were some struggles, but I wouldn't change it for anything looking back now. It's been a blessing that it happened. I feel like my mentality of the game has stepped up a lot, not only the physical aspect, but the mental aspect as well. It's almost a bigger part of the game.”</p><p>Sarratt's biggest win of the season came in her most recent start as she threw a complete game against No. 15 Kentucky in Lexington in the SEC tourney.</p><p>She allowed five hits and struck out six in USC's 6-3 victory that provided a big boost to the Gamecocks' NCAA Tournament resume. Sarratt said the team was aware of the potential ramifications entering the game and believed it could earn a win.</p><p>“I think we were all very calm and confident because we just came off a big win against (No. 2) Florida the weekend before,” she said. “I don't think nerves were too big of an issue, it was just excitement to be at the SEC Tournament and know that we controlled our destiny. We earned it and we were there. We wanted to prove people wrong and to step up. We won that big game and that was really exciting.”</p><p>Carolina was eliminated from the tournament the next day in a 5-0 loss to No. 4 Tennessee, but was confident it would make the NCAA Tournament.</p><p>“The end of the season we had has been great,” Sarratt said. “We were pretty confident that we would be in, but you never know until your name's called.” </p><p>USC did enough to earn a spot in the Austin Regional, where it will face Houston in the first game. Texas and Army are also in the regional.</p><p>Page and Sarratt said seeing Carolina's name flash across the screen and knowing they had made the NCAA Tournament was a magical feeling.</p><p>“It was a lot of emotions. We all were excited; I cried a little bit. It was just an awesome feeling knowing that we earned it,” Page said. </p><p>“We haven't been in this position the last three years that I've been here, so it was really exciting to have a chance at it and then to see our name be called, it was a lot of emotion at one time,” Sarratt said. “We were all really excited.”</p>